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Australia's controversial policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to follow this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Beyond these regions, further countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations take a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.